Chapter 56: Let The Adventure Begin!
The weapon is a wide metal bow, its design elegant yet brutal. The curved body was sturdy and perfectly balanced, forged with masterful precision. Every inch of it spoke of craftsmanship far beyond standard guild equipment.
The string was wound tight, shimmering faintly under the sunlight, a bowstring made from mana-thread, no doubt. But that wasn’t what took Bruce’s breath away.
It was the ends of the bow.
Each end flared out into a razor-sharp blade, perfectly symmetrical, their edges gleaming with deadly intent.
’Blades? At the end of a bow?’ Bruce blinked, taken aback.
He looked closer and realized the design wasn’t just for show. The weapon had a dual mechanism. With a quick twist of the wrist, the wielder could collapse and rotate the limbs, transforming the bow into a double-ended sword.
A hybrid weapon.
Bruce exhaled softly, both impressed and intrigued. "A bow and twin blade combined?" he murmured under his breath.
It was the first time he had ever seen something like it.
The complexity of its structure alone would make it nearly impossible for most to handle. The balance, the shifting weight, the precision of movement, it required not only mastery over archery but also close-quarter swordsmanship.
It wasn’t just a weapon. It was an art form.
And when he looked toward the wielder, it made perfect sense.
Standing a few meters away was a white-haired girl with an aura as sharp as her weapon. Her expression was cold, her eyes distant and calculating. She didn’t move much, but the stillness around her carried weight, a quiet confidence that told Bruce she wasn’t like the others. No nervous glances. No hesitation. No fear. She was calm. Focused. Deadly.
He studied her a moment longer, his analytical mind silently acknowledging her skill. It took true mastery to wield such a complex weapon, one that blurred the line between ranged and melee combat.
And for the few who could master it, Bruce knew the truth.
Such a weapon’s versatility on the battlefield would be unmatched.
Bruce watched the domineering sight of the metal bow glint under the sunlight, its surface flashing with a metallic gleam.
This wasn’t just an ordinary bow. It was a weapon of both beauty and danger.
’Let me be honest with myself,’ he sighed inwardly. ’I don’t think I can face her in pure weapon skill.’
Yes, he had trained with daggers under Vaelith’s guidance, but that had only been for a few hours — he was still a novice when it came to actual combat. The aura that girl gave off was on an entirely different level. It wasn’t just about talent or strength; it was something deeper. The way she stood, the calm stillness in her eyes... it was as if she and the weapon were one — like she had been born with it in her hands.
He could already imagine it vividly, the girl in motion, drawing the bowstring back in a smooth, graceful arc. Arrows flying with precision, each one a promise of death. Then, the moment an enemy drew close, she would twist her wrists, and in one seamless motion, the bow would split, transforming into a double-ended blade.
Bruce’s imagination painted the rest.
A brutal scene. The enemy falling, cut down before they could even blink.
He exhaled slowly, shaking his head. Just imagining himself in that enemy’s position made his chest tighten.
He could tell, in pure weapon combat, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
Though, even if she cut him down, even if his head burst open, his healing would save him. His regeneration and adaptability gave him a safety net others didn’t have. But that didn’t change the truth.
It wasn’t pride that made him admit it. It was clarity.
His weapon technique was lacking. Against someone like her, or like Sophie, who had trained with blades since childhood, he wouldn’t win on skill alone.
Sure, his class could tip the balance easily. With his abilities, he could defeat her if he truly fought seriously. But based purely on technical skill? She would wrap him up like prey before he even had the chance to strike.
That realization didn’t frustrate him. It motivated him.
’I’ll fix that,’ Bruce thought, determination hardening in his eyes. "/’Once this trial’s over, I’ll ask Vaelith to teach me advanced weapon forms. After feeding Red and Ash, I’ll focus on training myself too.’
He wasn’t about to leave a weakness unchecked. Not when he had the power to grow.
Behind him, another voice spoke up.
"Interesting..." Ozai muttered, his tone cool but calculating. He had also noticed the white-haired girl and instantly marked her as competition. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as his silver swords shimmered faintly in his grip.
Meanwhile, at the front, Bale’s voice rose again, cutting through the lingering murmurs like a blade.
He was finally finishing his long, exhausting speech about the duties of adventurers.
Most of the recruits looked visibly relieved. Bale was a fighter, not a teacher, not a philosopher, and it showed. His speech, while informative, was far from inspiring. Still, they all endured it, because they had no choice.
Then came his final announcement.
"Before I send you off," Bale said, "know this. Another reward awaits the top five of this competition. Each of them will be granted five additional smart bracelets, the same type as the one on your wrists."
The recruits’ ears perked up immediately.
"This technology," Bale continued, "was developed by the Thorne family, a breakthrough that advanced communication across the entire kingdom. So, do your best. The higher your rank, the more valuable your reward."
He gestured lazily toward the glowing devices strapped around their wrists.
"Call up the interface on your smart bracelet if you need to review the rules or details you’ve missed."
Then his lips curved into a faint smirk.
"Anyway," he said, his voice dropping into a deep, final tone, "let the adventure begin."
With a casual snap of his fingers—
SHHH!
A blinding flash of light swept through the field, and in an instant, every recruit vanished.
The ground that once trembled with dozens of footsteps fell eerily silent.
In the next breath, they were gone, scattered across the vast simulated world, each one thrown into their own corner of danger and uncertainty.
Forming a team was now a matter of fate. Some might find allies. Others might find death waiting in disguise.
Because in this world, anyone you meet could become your partner, your prey, or your predator.
***
A/N:
I need those stones, so please don’t forget to vote! Thanks for all your support so far — it means a lot. Also, Bruce’s fight with Ozai is going to be epic. He already has the perfect skill in mind to counter Ozai... all that’s left is to create it!